“We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education” (Rousseau, Jean-Jacques). One could say education has been passed down through the generations and individuals have become enlightened by what they learn. I strongly believe that all children should be educated in all disciplines, including music. Children learn more than just specified subject matter by being educated. I believe, as a teacher it is my job to teach them not only my specific subject, but also how to express themselves, be confident, and succeed. Education is extremely important for the growth and development of children and every child should be given an education.
Education is defined as “the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reason and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life (Dictionary.com) By educating children, teachers are preparing them to become members of society and to be independent learners and discoverers. The main purpose for education is to open the minds of children to always want to continue learning and strive to be knowledgeable in all sorts of disciplines. Children should be instructed in all the core areas such as reading, mathematics, science, etc., but should also be instructed in the arts to have a well-rounded education. Education is the basis for which children learn not only specific subjects, but also how to socialize and communicate with others, listen, and the way they, as an individual person, function.
Among the most important forms of education, is music education. Music education is the teaching and learning of music. All children should be taught to sing, play, and do all those things that are expressed in the national standards. By incorporating the nine national standards of singing, playing on instruments, improvising, composing and arranging, reading and notating, listening to and analyzing music, evaluating music, and understanding music and its connection to the other arts, history, and the other disciplines, students will become independent musicians. This will allow them to be creative on their own, understand feelings, and express themselves. Children develop many skills and learn about themselves in music, such as their abilities to be creative, boost self-esteem, and be successful at playing an instrument or singing. Learning about music through music exercises students’ physical and mental abilities to their fullest abilities, and helps them find their identity.
Comprehensive musicianship through performance is a term used by educators to take the musical concepts they learn and perform them through literature and actually singing or playing them. Performing allows students to physically do what they have learned. This comprehensive musicianship is associated with the idea of having aesthetic experiences. All students should be given the opportunities to have aesthetic experiences, and be completely submerged in the atmosphere of music. These are experiences that move the emotions and are beautiful. In music, many times these are experienced when someone is performing or listening to a performance, and they are overcome with feelings and pleasure that only music can create. “And this simple and vital principle of the aesthetic encounter can be both taught and practiced easily and effectively, opening a world of musical meaning and aesthetic understanding to many students” (Bassin 1991). I strongly believe in guiding children to musically literate individuals who have well-developed musical abilities. Through formal instruction and comprehensive musicianship through performance, all children will be given the opportunity to have aesthetic experiences and develop their education.
All children deserve well-rounded and proper education. They not only learn many disciplines and subject matters through education, but they also learn how to be individuals in society, and find out about themselves. Music education provides children with the opportunity to become literate musicians, but also how to express themselves and experience different feelings that many other subjects do not. I feel it is my obligation to educate students and aid them in developing their abilities so they may be independent learners and musicians.
Works Cited:
Bassin, J. (1991). The path to the exclusive aesthetic experience. Music Edcuators Journal, 77(6), 38.
Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Emile, or education. Translated by Barbara Foxley, M.A. (London & Toronto: J.M. Dent and Sons, 1921; New York: E.P. Dutton, 1921). Retrieved 15 October 2014 from the World Wide Web: http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/2256